(no subject)

[wickedflea]

I'm so fucking tired of this shit. I haven't had a raise since I've been working here because of these fools--Yale and the union. And all the updates I get (which are very sporadic) read the same. I think I'm going to don a butthead mask and put a hurting on some folks. Grrrrrr. This has been going on for a YEAR and a freaking HALF, for dog's sake. Why can't they begin negotiations BEFORE contracts run out? Because that would make sense, I guess.

Locals 34 + 35, Federation of University Employees
NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN

Union bargaining committees pressure Yale to negotiate

In the continuing effort to settle fair contracts for Local 34 and Local 35, the Union Negotiating Committee has asked Yale to return to the bargaining table beginning next Monday, August 4. Union leaders have told Yale they are willing to meet at any time, including weekends, and want Yale to be ready to bargain seriously for a fair and reasonable settlement. Local 35 President Bob Proto commented, "We want Yale to come back to the table, but we also expect Yale to engage in a process of real negotiation and compromise."


The union committee met last Friday and agreed to propose the new negotiating schedule to Yale. The group also discussed other possible actions, if Yale does not fairly negotiate with the union. These include petitions, rallies, marches and proposing binding arbitration to avoid a strike. However, if Yale should refuse to negotiate fairly, the Committee has agreed that the unions will be prepared to strike on Wednesday, August 27.


Local 34 President Laura Smith noted, "We continue to strive for a fair contract settlement, and to do everything in our power to achieve that goal without a strike. But the members of Local 34 and Local 35 need and deserve something better for our futures than what Yale is currently offering, and we are willing to fight for it if we have to."


Key contract issues remain at heart of dispute


The issues still unsettled include all of the major areas: wages (including retroactivity), pensions, job security, and training and job growth. We know that we can't adequately support our families on our Yale paycheck; we know that we will retire into poverty on our Yale pension; we know that Yale does not provide us with truly secure jobs; and we know that we are held back from promotions because of a lack of real training. And we also know that Yale's substandard contract proposals have been born of arrogance, not budget problems. Yale has the money to pay for livable pensions and fair salaries; it just doesn't want to spend it. And Yale has the ability to keep us secure in our jobs and to provide real opportunities for training and advancement.


It's time for Yale to sit down with us and negotiate. It's time that we make Yale settle fair contracts.

Comments

[buscemi.livejournal.com]

That's pretty scary. Even the cheapos here give me a raise once a year. Granted, it's only about $16 more a week, but I'll take it.

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

Right, contractually we get a raise every year--same for everybody, no matter what kind of job we're doing. (How's that for incentive?) But we're not under contract during negotiations, so everything's held up. And the union promises that when the contract is signed, we'll get retroactive pay at our new rates--but apparently even that's on the table. I know what's gonna happen: I'm going to end up moving on before it's all settled, and I'll never see a dime.

[buscemi.livejournal.com]

I bet those negotiations won't solve anything for another year. What's the point of having a union again? Hm.

[jra1279.livejournal.com]

yeah, you guys should keep threatening to unionize instead of actually having a union, like the grad students do. WE got a raise. a pretty ridiculous one, i might add. but we have to deal with GESO and its total aggression and psychosis.

[wickedflea.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, good idea actually. I should start a movement against the tyranny and ineffectiveness of our beloved union. Stick it to the man!

Ehhh. Whole thing makes me ill.